Sepsis is an unconquered challenge in medicine, affecting people of all ages and demographics. Severe sepsis affects approximately 751,000 patients in the United States per annum, with healthcare costs approaching $16.7 billion dollars a year. Mortality from severe sepsis and septic shock approaches 30 - 70 % with 215,000 deaths annually. Thus, sepsis is a disease with healthcare dollars and mortality rates approaching those of heart disease and cancer.